Certificate in Teaching
- Certificate

2018/19
Part-time
Undergraduate
course

Key information

Fees (total cost)

Overview

The course is a recognised course for those working in FE Colleges in NI and in training organisations.

Summary

The Certificate in Teaching equates to one year of an undergraduate Level 4 course, and is made up of 6 x 10 credit point modules. It is part of a range of teacher education and continuous professional development courses within Ulster University.

The overall aim of the course is to prepare teachers, tutors or trainers in the field of further education and training by supporting them in their initial year of employment.

The CIT is considered to be a pre requisite for the PGCE (FE) and is required to be completed within the first year of taking up a position in an FE college or training organisation.

Holders of the CIT qualification may not seek registration with GTC(NI).

NOTE

Classroom assistants, teaching assistants and others with only a supporting role in education are not eligible to apply. Likewise training managers or administrators unless they can provide evidence of undertaking a direct teaching role.

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Magee campus

Our vision is aligned to the strategic growth plan for the city and region

About this course

About

This course is compulsory for those involved in post-16 teaching and caters for the continuing professional development (CPD) needs of individuals teaching in Further Education (FE) colleges and work based learning (WBL) organisations. The course is endorsed by the Department of Employment and Learning (DEL) as a recognised teaching qualification for those working in the post-compulsory teaching and training sector. The course is part-time and will amount to approximately 3 hours of lectures per week plus individual study time and students will be observed teaching in their place of work.

The course runs in both Jordanstown and Magee campuses

Attendance

The course covers one full academic year. (September to May) and as it is a professional course attendance will be monitored. Your attendance records may be released to your employer upon their request at the end of the academic year.

Classes at the Jordanstown Campus are expected to take place on Friday mornings (10.15am to 1.15pm), whilst classes at the Magee Campus are expected to take place on Thursday afternoons (2.15pm to 5.15pm).

A level

GCSE

Applicants must be able to provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English and Maths (GCSE grade C or equivalent). See DEL circular FE12/09 Annex A.

English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicantsThe minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.

Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

Additional Entry Requirements

To be eligible to apply all applicants must meet the requirements as described below:

Candidates must be qualified to at least Level 3 in the subject area they intend to teach, in accordance with DEL subject teaching regulations.

Essential Skills tutors must hold a relevant degree, which satisfies the conditions, as stipulated by DEL (DEL Circular ES01/12) for literacy, numeracy or ICT.

Minimum of GCSE English and Maths at grade C or equivalent, as recognised by DEL.

Employed to teach at least 4 hours per week over one full academic year (Oct - May) with full teaching responsibility for a group of at least 6 learners in a suitable Further Education College or training environment in Northern Ireland.

Exemptions and transferability

The Certificate in Teaching is a complete programme and the student cannot be exempted from any part of the programme. Given the unique structure of the course in Ulster University it is not possible to transfer with exemption from another course or institution.

Careers & opportunities

Career options

The course prepares the student to develop their professional practice and advance their teaching skills in further or post compulsory education and training. On successful completion of this course the student may be eligible to progress to the PGCE (FE) if they meet the entry requirements.

Start dates

Fees and funding

Fees (total cost)

Important notice - fees information
Fees illustrated are based on 18/19 entry and are subject to an annual increase. Correct at the time of publishing. Terms and conditions apply. Additional mandatory costs are highlighted where they are known in advance. There are other costs associated with university study.
Visit our Fees pages for full details of fees

Additional mandatory costs

Students who are supported by their colleges (FE colleges and CAFRE) will have their observations completed by an in-house observer who has undergone training at Ulster University. This usually applies to full-time or associate lecturers who are fully supported – ie having their full fees paid and remission allowed.

Some students who are working in FE but are self-funding have been able to negotiate that their college will complete their observations. Not all colleges provide this support however, so it is the responsibility of the applicant to investigate this with their employer and notify the University of the decision during the application process.

Those outside the FE College partnership (FE employed students who are NOT having their observations covered by the college, and ALL WBL employed students) will be required to undertake a University supervised observation. This will incur an additional fee of £300 pounds on top of the standard fee.

Tuition fees and costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges), and normal living are a part of university life.

Where a course has additional mandatory expenses we make every effort to highlight them. These may include residential visits, field trips, materials (e.g. art, design, engineering) inoculations, security checks, computer equipment, uniforms, professional memberships etc.

We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free wifi is also available on each of the campuses.

There will be some additional costs to being a student which cannot be itemised and these will be different for each student. You may choose to purchase your own textbooks and course materials or prefer your own computer and software. Printing and binding may also be required. There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines. Additional costs vary from course to course.

Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs as well as tuition fees.